E. coli aggregation and impaired cell division after terahertz irradiation.

In this study we demonstrated that exposure of Escherichia coli (E. coli) to terahertz (THz) radiation resulted in a change in the activities of the tdcABCDEFGR and matA-F genes (signs of cell aggregation), gene yjjQ (signs of suppression of cell motility), dicABCF, FtsZ, and minCDE genes (signs of suppression of cell division), sfmACDHF genes (signs of adhesin synthesis), yjbEFGH and gfcA genes (signs of cell envelope stabilization). Moreover, THz radiation induced E. coli csg operon genes of amyloid biosynthesis. Electron microscopy revealed that the irradiated bacteria underwent increased aggregation; 20% of them formed bundle-like structures consisting of two to four pili clumped together. This could be the result of changes in the adhesive properties of the pili. We also found aberrations in cell wall structure in the middle part of the bacterial cell; these aberrations impaired the cell at the initial stages of division and resulted in accumulation of long rod-like cells. Overall, THz radiation was shown to have adverse effects on bacterial populations resulting in cells with abnormal morphology.

Impedance flow cytometry for viability analysis of Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Corynebacterium glutamicum efficiently produces glutamate when growth is inhibited. Analyses of viability in this non-growing state requires time consuming plating and determination of colony forming units. We here establish impedance flow cytometry measurements to assess the viability of non-growing, glutamate producing C. glutamicum cultures within minutes.

Helical growth during the phototropic response, avoidance response, and in stiff mutants of Phycomyces blakesleeanus.

The sporangiophores of Phycomyces blakesleeanus have been used as a model system to study sensory transduction, helical growth, and to establish global biophysical equations for expansive growth of walled cells. More recently, local statistical biophysical models of the cell wall are being constructed to better understand the molecular underpinnings of helical growth and its behavior during the many growth responses of the sporangiophores to sensory stimuli. Previous experimental and theoretical findings guide the development of these local models. Future development requires an investigation of explicit and implicit assumptions made in the prior research. Here, experiments are conducted to test three assumptions made in prior research, that (a) elongation rate, (b) rotation rate, and (c) helical growth steepness, R, of the sporangiophore remain constant during the phototropic response (bending toward unilateral light) and the avoidance response (bending away from solid barriers). The experimental results reveal that all three assumptions are incorrect for the phototropic response and probably incorrect for the avoidance response but the results are less conclusive. Generally, the experimental results indicate that the elongation and rotation rates increase during these responses, as does R, indicating that the helical growth steepness become flatter. The implications of these findings on prior research, the "fibril reorientation and slippage" hypothesis, global biophysical equations, and local statistical biophysical models are discussed.

Postharvest UV-C irradiation for fungal control and reduction of mycotoxins in brown, black, and red rice during long-term storage.

The formation of fungal colonies, mycotoxins, phenolic compounds, cooking quality and color properties were evaluated in freshly-harvested brown, black, and red rice grains and then subjected to ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) for 1 and 3 h. Assessments were made after 6 months of storage. The exposure of black and red rice at 1 h of UV-C was enough to decrease the presence of fungal colonies by 22% and 79%, respectively, without any changes in cooking and coloring properties. In brown rice, only 3 h of UV-C irradiation was able to reduce the formation of fungal colonies. The release of phenolic compounds associated with cell wall was observed only in black and red rice subjected to UV-C radiation. The levels of mycotoxins gradually decreased with the increase in the time of exposure to UV-C radiation, demonstrating UV-C irradiation to be an effective method in fungal control and reduction of mycotoxins in stored rice.

The spore coat is essential for Bacillus subtilis spore resistance to pulsed light, and pulsed light treatment eliminates some spore coat proteins.

Microbial surface contamination of equipment or of food contact material is a recurring problem in the food industry. Spore-forming bacteria are far more resistant to a wide variety of treatments than their vegetative forms. Understanding the mechanisms underlying decontamination processes is needed to improve surface decontamination strategies against endospores potentially at the source of foodborne diseases or food-spoilage. Pulsed light (PL) with xenon lamps delivers high-energy short-time pulses of light with wavelengths in the range 200 nm-1100 nm and a high UV-C fraction. Bacillus subtilis spores were exposed to either PL or to continuous UV-C. Gel electrophoresis and western blotting revealed elimination of various proteins of the spore coat, an essential outer structure that protects spores from a wide variety of environmental conditions and inactivation treatments. Proteomic analysis confirmed the elimination of some spore coat proteins after PL treatment. Transmission electron microscopy of PL treated spores revealed a gap between the lamellar inner spore coat and the outer spore coat. Overall, spores of mutant strains with defects in genes coding for spore coat proteins were more sensitive to PL than to continuous UV-C. This study demonstrates that radiations delivered by PL contribute to specific damage to the spore coat, and overall to spore inactivation.

Regulation of acetylation of plant cell wall components is complex and responds to external stimuli.

Previously, we reported that the allelic de-etiolated by zinc (dez) and trichome birefringence (tbr) mutants exhibit photomorphogenic development in the dark, which is enhanced by high Zn. TRICHOME BIREFRINGENCE-LIKE proteins had been implicated in transferring acetyl groups to various hemicelluloses. Pectin O-acetylation levels were lower in dark-grown dez seedlings than in the wild type. We observed Zn-enhanced photomorphogenesis in the dark also in the reduced wall acetylation 2 (rwa2-3) mutant, which exhibits lowered O-acetylation levels of cell wall macromolecules including pectins and xyloglucans, supporting a role for cell wall macromolecule O-acetylation in the photomorphogenic phenotypes of rwa2-3 and dez. Application of very short oligogalacturonides (vsOGs) restored skotomorphogenesis in dark-grown dez and rwa2-3. Here we demonstrate that in dez, O-acetylation of non-pectin cell wall components, notably of xyloglucan, is enhanced. Our results highlight the complexity of cell wall homeostasis and indicate against an influence of xyloglucan O-acetylation on light-dependent seedling development.

ETHANOL AS A MODIFIER OF RADIATION SENSITIVITY OF LIVING CELLS AGAINST UV-C RADIATION.

The protection of Escherichia coli bacteria and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae against UV-C radiation by ethanol was studied. It was found that the fraction of surviving cells increases with increasing ethanol concentration. The specific protection depends on the dose rate, concentration range of ethanol, and it is higher for yeast compared to the bacteria.

Deciphering the Mechanisms of Bacterial Inactivation on HiPIMS Sputtered CuxO-FeOx-PET Surfaces: From Light Absorption to Catalytic Bacterial Death.

The production of nontoxic, affordable, and efficient antibacterial surfaces is key to the well-being of our societies. In this aim, antibacterial thin films have been prepared using earth-abundant metals deposited using high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS). The sputtered FeOx, CuxO, and mixed CuxO-FeOx films exhibited fast bacterial inactivation properties under exposure to indoor light (340-720 nm) showing total bacterial inactivation within 180, 120, and 60 min, respectively. The photocatalytic mechanisms of these films were investigated, from the absorption of photons up to the bacteria's fate, by means of ultrafast transient spectroscopy, flow cytometry, and malondialdehyde (MDA) quantification justifying the cell wall disruption. The primary driving force leading to bacterial inactivation was found to be the oxidative stress at the interface between the sputtered thin films and the microorganism. This was justified by using engineered porinless bacteria disabling the possible ion diffusion leading to internal bacterial inactivation. Such stress is a direct consequence of the photogenerated electron-hole pairs at the interface of the sputtered layers. By diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, we found that both FeOx and CuxO present a band gap of ∼2.9 eV (>425 nm), while the mixed CuxO-FeOx thin film has a band gap below 2.3 eV (>540 nm). The structure and atomic composition of the films were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray photoelectron, and optical spectroscopy. While the composition and metal oxidation states are distinct in all three films, the difference in photocatalytic efficiency can, at first sight, be explained as the direct consequence of their absorbance and the unique interaction between Fe and Cu oxides in the composite film.

Exposure to UV-B Radiation Leads to Increased Deposition of Cell Wall-Associated Xerocomic Acid in Cultures of Serpula himantioides.

Many fungi are thought to have developed morphological and physiological adaptations to cope with exposure to UV-B radiation, but in most species, such responses and their protective effects have not been explored. Here, we study the adaptive response to UV-B radiation in the widespread, saprotrophic fungus Serpula himantioides, frequently found colonizing coniferous wood in nature. We report the morphological and chemical responses of S. himantioides to controlled intensities of UV-B radiation, under in vitro culture conditions. Ultraviolet radiation induced a decrease in the growth rate of S. himantioides but did not cause gross morphological changes. Instead, we observed accumulation of pigments near the cell wall with increasing intensities of UV-B radiation. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) analyses revealed that xerocomic acid was the main pigment present, both before and after UV-B exposure, increasing from 7 mg/liter to 15 mg/liter after exposure. We show that xerocomic acid is a photoprotective metabolite with strong antioxidant abilities, as evidenced by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt], and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Finally, we assessed the capacity of xerocomic acid as a photoprotective agent on HEK293 cells and observed better photoprotective properties than those of ß-carotene. Xerocomic acid is therefore a promising natural product for development as a UV-protective ingredient in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.IMPORTANCE Our study shows the morphological and chemical responses of S. himantioides to controlled doses of UV-B radiation under in vitro culture conditions. We found that increased biosynthesis of xerocomic acid was the main strategy adopted by S. himantioides against UV-B radiation. Xerocomic acid showed strong antioxidant and photoprotective abilities, which has not previously been reported. Our results indicate that upon UV-B exposure, S. himantioides decreases its hyphal growth rate and uses this energy instead to increase the biosynthesis of xerocomic acid, which is allocated near the cell wall. This metabolic switch likely allows xerocomic acid to efficiently defend S. himantioides from UV radiation through its antioxidant and photoprotective properties. The findings further suggest that xerocomic acid is a promising candidate for development as a cosmetic ingredient to protect against UV radiation and should therefore be investigated in depth in the near future both in vitro and in vivo.

A method using electroporation for the protein delivery of Cre recombinase into cultured Arabidopsis cells with an intact cell wall.

Genome engineering in plants is highly dependent on the availability of effective molecular techniques. Despite vast quantities of research, genome engineering in plants is still limited in terms of gene delivery, which requires the use of infectious bacteria or harsh conditions owing to the difficulty delivering biomaterial into plant cells through the cell wall. Here, we describe a method that uses electroporation-mediated protein delivery into cultured Arabidopsis thaliana cells possessing an intact cell wall, and demonstrate Cre-mediated site-specific recombination. By optimizing conditions for the electric pulse, protein concentration, and electroporation buffer, we were able to achieve efficient and less-toxic protein delivery into Arabidopsis thaliana cells with 83% efficiency despite the cell wall. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the electroporation-mediated protein delivery of Cre recombinase to achieve nucleic acid-free genome engineering in plant cells possessing an intact cell wall.

Efficacy of blue LED in microbial inactivation: Effect of photosensitization and process parameters.

Efficacy of blue (462 ±â€¯3 nm) Light emitting diode (LED) illumination to inactivate the foodborne pathogens like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of exogenous photosensitizer (curcumin) was studied in vitro. The effect of temperature, concentration of photosensitizer and incubation time with photosensitizer for microbial inactivation was investigated and sublethal injury of cells was determined. Mechanism of inactivation by the combination of photosensitizer and blue light was also examined. A maximum reduction of 5.94 ±â€¯0.22 and 5.91 ±â€¯0.20 log CFU/ml was obtained for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, when treated with photosensitizer (20 µM) at 13 J/cm2 of blue light. There was no significant change in the inactivation of these pathogens both at 9 °C and 27 °C in the presence of photosensitizer. Even, the incubation with the photosensitizer didn't show any significant difference on the inactivation of these food-borne pathogens. Sublethal injury (>90% injury) was also observed for the cells treated with photosensitizer and blue light simultaneously. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis revealed that membrane integrity was disturbed due to photodynamic activity of curcumin in both the bacteria. Further, both cells produced intracellular reactive oxygen species by the action of photosensitizer and blue light. Scanning electron microscopy of E. coli and S. aureus cells treated with photosensitizer and blue light showed morphological changes in the cell wall compared to untreated group. The study indicated that photodynamic inactivation of foodborne pathogens using LED-based photosensitization can be explored as a potential technique for food safety.

Photoprotection enhanced by red cell wall pigments in three East Antarctic mosses.

BACKGROUND: Antarctic bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) are resilient to physiologically extreme environmental conditions including elevated levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to depletion of stratospheric ozone. Many Antarctic bryophytes synthesise UV-B-absorbing compounds (UVAC) that are localised in their cells and cell walls, a location that is rarely investigated for UVAC in plants. This study compares the concentrations and localisation of intracellular and cell wall UVAC in Antarctic Ceratodon purpureus, Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Schistidium antarctici from the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. RESULTS: Multiple stresses, including desiccation and naturally high UV and visible light, seemed to enhance the incorporation of total UVAC including red pigments in the cell walls of all three Antarctic species analysed. The red growth form of C. purpureus had significantly higher levels of cell wall bound and lower intracellular UVAC concentrations than its nearby green form. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses showed that the red colouration in this species was associated with the cell wall and that these red cell walls contained less pectin and phenolic esters than the green form. All three moss species showed a natural increase in cell wall UVAC content during the growing season and a decline in these compounds in new tissue grown under less stressful conditions in the laboratory. CONCLUSIONS: UVAC and red pigments are tightly bound to the cell wall and likely have a long-term protective role in Antarctic bryophytes. Although the identity of these red pigments remains unknown, our study demonstrates the importance of investigating cell wall UVAC in plants and contributes to our current understanding of UV-protective strategies employed by particular Antarctic bryophytes. Studies such as these provide clues to how these plants survive in such extreme habitats and are helpful in predicting future survival of the species studied.

UV-shielding and wavelength conversion by centric diatom nanopatterned frustules.

Diatoms can represent the major component of phytoplankton and contribute massively to global primary production in the oceans. Over tens of millions of years they developed an intricate porous silica shell, the frustule, which ensures mechanical protection, sorting of nutrients from harmful agents, and optimization of light harvesting. Several groups of microalgae evolved different strategies of protection towards ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is harmful for all living organisms mainly through the formation of dimeric photoproducts between adjacent pyrimidines in DNA. Even in presence of low concentrations of UV-absorbing compounds, several diatoms exhibit significant UVR tolerance. We here investigated the mechanisms involved in UVR screening by diatom silica investments focusing on single frustules of a planktonic centric diatom, Coscinodiscus wailesii, analyzing absorption by the silica matrix, diffraction by frustule ultrastructure and also UV conversion into photosynthetically active radiation exerted by nanostructured silica photoluminescence. We identified the defects and organic residuals incorporated in frustule silica matrix which mainly contribute to absorption; simulated and measured the spatial distribution of UVR transmitted by a single valve, finding that it is confined far away from the diatom valve itself; furthermore, we showed how UV-to-blue radiation conversion (which is particularly significant for photosynthetic productivity) is more efficient than other emission transitions in the visible spectral range.

Fabrication of pure and moxifloxacin functionalized silver oxide nanoparticles for photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity.

This paper reports the synthesis of silver oxide (Ag2O) and moxifloxacin functionalized silver oxide (M-Ag2O) nanoparticles for photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity. The Ag2O nanoparticles were synthesized by using 2 dimethyl amino ethanol as reducing agent. The BET surface area measured from N2 adsorption method was found to be 16.89 m2/g. The mix (cubic and hexagonal) phase of silver oxide (Ag2O) nanoparticles was confirmed by X-rays diffraction (XRD). The extra diffracted peaks were observed after moxifloxacin fictionalization. The scanning electron micrographs display spherical shaped particles of different sizes. The elemental composition and weight percent of both samples were studied by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The decrease in the weight percent of silver with the subsequent increase in the weight percent of carbon and oxygen revealed the successful loading of moxifloxacin onto Ag2O NPs. The two stages of weight loss due to the removal of physisorbed and chemisorbed water was examined during thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The optical band gap derived from the diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS) was 1.83 eV, which corresponds to the transmittance edge of 676 nm. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) band at 668.56 cm-1 confirms the successful synthesis of moxifloxacin functionalized silver oxide (Ag2O) nanoparticles. The pure Ag2O nanoparticles were used for the degradation of rhodamine 6G and 98.56% dye was degraded in 330 min. The bacterial species selected for the present study were Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus Niger. Both pure and functionalized Ag2O NPs were screened against selected bacterial and fungal species and they showed improved activity with the volume of samples taken in wells. However, the activity of Ag2O NPs against fungi was found less effective than bacteria which may be due to the difference in the composition of the cell wall. Further gram-positive bacteria showed more resistance toward both samples as compared to the gram-negative bacteria. It was concluded that Ag2O NPs upon conjugation with moxifloxacin displayed promising antimicrobial activity.

Morphological changes in melanized and non-melanized Cryptococcus neoformans cells post exposure to sparsely and densely ionizing radiation demonstrate protective effect of melanin.

There is a need for novel and effective prophylactic treatments and radioprotective materials to protect civilians and military personnel from ionizing radiation in contaminated environments. Melanin, a naturally occurring, ubiquitous pigment, has been shown to confer radioresistance, acting as a potential radioprotective agent. We have demonstrated that melanized Cryptococcus neoformans (CN) cells had improved survival post ionizing irradiation than non-melanized ones. The goal of this study was to identify morphological changes in melanized and non-melanized CN cells following irradiation with densely-ionizing deuterons and alpha particles relative to sparsely-ionizing gamma radiation. We observed significant differences between the melanized and non-melanized CN cellular ultrastructure following irradiation. Melanized CN cells were relatively resistant to mid and max-dose levels of alpha particles and deuterons irradiation. Following irradiation the capsule was stripped, but the cell wall was intact and structural integrity was maintained. At the maximum dose, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and mitochondrial swelling started to occur. In contrast, the non-melanized CN strain was sensitive to the mid-dose radiation. Non-melanized cells presented two morphologies: small condensed, and swollen, lacking structural integrity. This morphological investigation provides the first direct evidence of the radioprotective properties of melanin in CN cells subjected to high RBE and high LET ionizing radiation.

Blue light irradiation triggers the antimicrobial potential of ZnO nanoparticles on drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a non-invasive and safe therapeutic method for microbial infections. Bacterial antibiotic resistance is caused by antibiotics abuse. Drug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. is a serious problem in hospitals around the world. These pathogens from nosocomial infections have high mortality rates in frailer people, and Acinetobacter spp. is commonly found in immunocompromised patients. Visible light is safer than ultraviolet light (UV) for PDI of nosocomial pathogens with mammalian cells. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were used in this study as an antimicrobial agent and a photosensitizer. ZnO is recognized as safe and has extensive usage in food additives, medical and cosmetic products. In this study, we used 0.125 mg/ml ZnO-NPs combined with 10.8 J/cm2 blue light (BL) on Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) that could significantly reduce microbial survival. However, individual exposure to ZnO-NPs does not affect the viability of A. baumannii. BL irradiation could trigger the antimicrobial ability of ZnO nanoparticles on A. baumannii. The mechanism of photocatalytic ZnO-NPs treatment for sterilization occurs through bacterial membrane disruptions. Otherwise, the photocatalytic ZnO-NPs treatment showed high microbial eradication in nosocomial pathogens, including colistin-resistant and imipenem-resistant A. baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Based on our results, the photocatalytic ZnO-NPs treatment could support hygiene control and clinical therapies without antibiotics to nosocomial bacterial infections.

Photoprotection enhanced by red cell wall pigments in three East Antarctic mosses

BACKGROUND: Antarctic bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) are resilient to physiologically extreme environmental conditions including elevated levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation due to depletion of stratospheric ozone. Many Antarctic bryophytes synthesise UV-B-absorbing compounds (UVAC) that are localised in their cells and cell walls, a location that is rarely investigated for UVAC in plants. This study compares the concentrations and localisation of intracellular and cell wall UVAC in Antarctic Ceratodon purpureus, Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Schistidium antarctici from the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. RESULTS: Multiple stresses, including desiccation and naturally high UV and visible light, seemed to enhance the incorporation of total UVAC including red pigments in the cell walls of all three Antarctic species analysed. The red growth form of C. purpureus had significantly higher levels of cell wall bound and lower intracellular UVAC concentrations than its nearby green form. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses showed that the red colouration in this species was associated with the cell wall and that these red cell walls contained less pectin and phenolic esters than the green form. All three moss species showed a natural increase in cell wall UVAC content during the growing season and a decline in these compounds in new tissue grown under less stressful conditions in the laboratory. CONCLUSIONS: UVAC and red pigments are tightly bound to the cell wall and likely have a long-term protective role in Antarctic bryophytes. Although the identity of these red pigments remains unknown, our study demonstrates the importance of investigating cell wall UVAC in plants and contributes to our current understanding of UV-protective strategies employed by particular Antarctic bryophytes. Studies such as these provide clues to how these plants survive in such extreme habitats and are helpful in predicting future survival of the species studied.

Extended light exposure increases stem digestibility and biomass production of switchgrass.

Switchgrass is a photoperiod-sensitive energy grass suitable for growing in the marginal lands of China. We explored the effects of extended photoperiods of low-irradiance light (7 µmol·m-2·s-1, no effective photosynthesis) on the growth, the biomass dry weight, the biomass allocation, and, especially, the stem digestibility and cell wall characteristics of switchgrass. Two extended photoperiods (i.e., 18 and 24 h) were applied over Alamo. Extended light exposure (18 and 24 h) resulted in delayed heading and higher dry weights of vegetative organs (by 32.87 and 35.94%, respectively) at the expense of reducing the amount of sexual organs (by 40.05 and 50.87%, respectively). Compared to the control group (i.e., natural photoperiod), the yield of hexoses (% dry matter) in the stems after a direct enzymatic hydrolysis (DEH) treatment significantly increased (by 44.02 and 46.10%) for those groups irradiated during 18 and 24 h, respectively. Moreover, the yield of hexoses obtained via enzymatic hydrolysis increased after both basic (1% NaOH) and acid (1% H2SO4) pretreatments for the groups irradiated during 18 and 24 h. Additionally, low-irradiance light extension (LILE) significantly increased the content of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) while notably reducing the lignin content and the syringyl to guaiacyl (S/G) ratio. These structural changes were in part responsible for the observed improved stem digestibility. Remarkably, LILE significantly decreased the cellulose crystallinity index (CrI) of switchgrass by significantly increasing both the arabinose substitution degree in xylan and the content of ammonium oxalate-extractable uronic acids, both favoring cellulose digestibility. Despite this LILE technology is not applied to the cultivation of switchgrass on a large scale yet, we believe that the present work is important in that it reveals important relationships between extended day length irradiations and biomass production and quality. Additionally, this study paves the way for improving biomass production and digestibility via genetic modification of day length sensitive transcription factors or key structural genes in switchgrass leaves.

Cesium-induced inhibition of bacterial growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and their possible potential applications for bioremediation of wastewater.

Radioactive isotopes and fission products have attracted considerable attention because of their long lasting serious damage to the health of humans and other organisms. This study examined the toxicity and accumulation behavior of cesium towards P. aeruginosa PAO1 and its capacity to remove cesium from waste water. Interestingly, the programmed bacterial growth inhibition occurred according to the cesium environment. The influence of cesium was analyzed using several optical methods for quantitative evaluation. Cesium plays vital role in the growth of microorganisms and functions as an anti-microbial agent. The toxicity of Cs to P. aeruginosa PAO1 increases as the concentration of cesium is increased in concentration-dependent manner. P. aeruginosa PAO1 shows excellent Cs removal efficiency of 76.1% from the contaminated water. The toxicity of cesium on the cell wall and in the cytoplasm were studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron dispersive X-ray analysis. Finally, the removal of cesium from wastewater using P. aeruginosa PAO1 as a potential biosorbent and the blocking of competitive interactions of other monovalent cation, such as potassium, were assessed. Overall, P. aeruginosa PAO1 can be used as a high efficient biomaterial in the field of radioactive waste disposal and management.

Photoelectrocatalytic inactivation of fecal coliform bacteria in urban wastewater using nanoparticulated films of TiO2 and TiO2/Ag.

Photocatalysis has shown the ability to inactivate a wide range of harmful microorganisms with traditional use of chlorination. Photocatalysis combined with applied bias potential (photoelectrocatalysis) increases the efficiency of photocatalysis and decreases the charge recombination. This work examines the inactivation of fecal coliform bacteria present in real urban wastewater by photoelectrocatalysis using nanoparticulated films of TiO2 and TiO2/Ag (4%w/w) under UV light irradiation. The catalysts were prepared with different thicknesses by the sol-gel method and calcined at 400°C and 600°C. The urban wastewater samples were collected from the sedimentation tank effluent of the university sewage treatment facility. The rate of bacteria inactivation increases with increasing the applied potential and film thicknesses; also, the presence of silver on the catalyst surface annealed at 400°C shows better inactivation than that at 600°C. Finally, a structural cell damage of Escherichia coli (DH5α), inoculated in water, is observed during the photoelectrocatalytic process.